Appointment of Ian Harvey as CEO

Congo Children Trust (CCT) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ian Harvey as Chief Executive Officer from 1st May 2026. Ian is the visionary founder of both Kimbilio and CCT. He has led CCT on a voluntary, part-time basis with determination and dedication from its creation as a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales in 2007. The vision for Kimbilio and CCT came about 20 years ago in 2006, when Ian was working as an election observer in the first democratic elections in DRC. He set up and led Kimbilio while based in DRC between 2009 and 2014, alongside a hardworking and passionate Congolese team. Kimbilio provides amazing care for vulnerable children from birth to independence at 18.

“The opportunity to invest my time fully in the work of CCT and Kimbilio has been a dream over many years. The potential for growth of our work is huge and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take the charity forward to this next exciting stage.” -Ian Harvey

Through Kimbilio in Lubumbashi, CCT is already funding a day centre and homes for street connected children, a family reintegration programme as well as a primary and secondary school, and sewing and hairdressing and beauty training courses. CCT also supports former street connected children through apprenticeships and higher education.

Ian’s strategic and relationship leadership style has enabled the partnership between CCT and Kimbilio to remain strong. His clear commitment to the work of CCT and Kimbilio; his firm and positive relationships with CCT supporters and the Kimbilio team in DRC; his track record as a committed and inspiring leader; his life-long passion and involvement in the DRC (formerly Zaire) and professional social work and counselling experience make him the ideal choice to lead the organisation forward into a new chapter in a full time, paid capacity.

Ian has a vision for consolidation and growth of Kimbilio’s existing extensive provision of welfare support for vulnerable street connected children in Lubumbashi as well as an expansion to the mining city of Kolwezi, which has seen an influx of children in recent years drawn by the possibility of income generation in the informal mining related sectors.

CCT express their sincere gratitude to Kumi Foundation and two other UK based Trust funds who have made this appointment possible. The investment in the CEO’s role is expected to enable CCT and Kimbilio to expand their reach and provide a significant increase in professional support to street connected children in DRC.